Search smh:

Search in:

Matildas beat Vietnam in Asian Cup

Pete Smith

Australia have qualified for their sixth successive FIFA Women's World Cup with a scrappy 2-0 win over Vietnam amid a monsoonal second-half rain deluge in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Matildas created a litany of chances but could only find the net twice courtesy of a comical own goal just before half time on Sunday, while a stunning last minute long-range strike from midfielder Katrina Gorry capped qualification in style.

The result also lifted Australia into the semi-finals of the Asian Women's Cup after finishing second on goal difference in Group A behind world champions Japan who also secured their ticket to next year's World Cup in Canada with victory over Jordan.

It seemed only a matter of time before Australia would overrun their opponents with Emily Van Egmond, Alanna Kennedy, Michelle Heyman and Caitlin Foord all narrowly failing to find the net.

Advertisement

However despite several impressive patches of play it took an unusual goal to break the deadlock.

A free-kick from close range incorrectly awarded for a deliberate back pass was fired at goal by Van Egmond, and ricocheted along the goalline before Vietnam captain Thi Hoa Nguyen inadvertently knocked the ball into the net.

The heavens opened up after the break making life even more difficult for the attack-minded Matildas against a well-organised Vietnam defence.

Substitute Kate Gill hit the crossbar in the second half but that was the closest the Aussies came until Gorry powered home a sweet 35-metre drive on 90 minutes.

"It was a tough game to play, we had a lot of possession and chances but our execution and creativity in the front third let us down so there is some room for improvement," said Australia coach Alen Stajcic.

"But we are still happy because it was very tough to break a team down like that in monsoonal conditions."

Stajcic says they now need to focus on making an impact in the semis and final this week.

Asian champions Australia will face either South Korea or China in Thursday's Asian Cup semi-final as the Matildas seek to defend the continental crown they won in 2010.